Automated saw

ABSTRACT

The fabricating machine comprises a fixed table mounting a length positioner assembly comprising a movable table having a plurality of stops spaced at predetermined intervals therealong and selectively movable for projection above the surface of the movable table. The movable table is driven lengthwise by serially disposed fluid-actuated cylinders having predetermined displacements whereby actuation of one or more of the cylinders displaces the movable table a predetermined distance from a reference point, thereby locating the projected stop a predetermined distance from a saw blade mounted for rotation on a superstructure assembly overlying the saw table. The saw assembly is rotatably driven to a predetermined angular position by an angle positioner assembly comprising serially disposed fluidactuated cylinders, whereby actuation of one or more of the cylinders causes the saw assembly to rotate to the predetermined angular position for making a selected angle of traverse across the saw table. Length and angle information for actuating selected cylinders of the length and angle positioner assemblies is provided on punched tape. A tape reader senses the information and an electrical circuit is responsive thereto to provide control signals to valves controlling the fluid-actuated cylinders, whereby selected cylinders are actuated. Pullback and holddown clamps are provided to respectively engage a board to be cut to pull the same against a rear fence and clamp the board against the table, thereby locating the board in proper sawing position and precluding movement of the board during sawing.

United States Patent [72] inventors [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] AUTOMATED SAW 57 Claims, 47 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 143/47, 143/6, 144/2 [51] Int. Cl B271) 5/18, B27b 27/06, B27c 9/00 [50] Field 01 Search 143/6, 7,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,662,563 12/1953 Grove 143/47 2,987,085 6/1961 Porter 143/47 2,995,162 8/1961 Mountain..... 144/3 3,329,181 7/1967 Buss et al 143/47 FOREIGN PATENTS 503,487 4/1939 Great Britain 143/47 544,724 8/1957 Canada 143/47 Primary ExaminerHarrison L. Hinson ABSTRACT: The fabricating machine comprises a fixed table mounting a length positioner assembly comprising a movable table having a plurality of stops spaced at predetermined intervals therealong and selectively movable for projection above the surface of the movable table. The movable table is driven lengthwise by serially disposed fluid-actuated cylinders having predetermined displacements whereby actuation of one or more of the cylinders displaces the movable table a predetermined distance from a reference point, thereby locating the projected stop a predetermined distance from a saw blade mounted for rotation on a superstructure assembly overlying the saw table. The saw assembly is rotatably driven to a predetermined angular position by an angle positioner assembly comprising serially disposed fluid-actuated cylinders, whereby actuation of one or more of the cylinders causes the saw assembly to rotate to the predetermined angular position for making a selected angle of traverse across the saw table. Length and angle information for actuating selected cylinders of the length and angle positioner assemblies is provided on punched tape. A tape reader senses the information and an electrical circuit is responsive thereto to provide control signals to valves controlling the fluid-actuated cylinders, whereby selected cylinders are actuated. Fullback and holddown clamps are provided to respectively engage a board to be cut to pull the same against a rear fence and clamp the board against the table, thereby locating the board in proper sawing position and precluding movement of the board during sawing.

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1. A cutting machine comprising a framework including a cutting surface, cutting means carried by said framework for rotation about an axis substantially normal to said surface and for traversing movement across said surface, means for rotating said cutting means to selected angular positions, means for moving said cutting means across said surface at said angular positions, reference position means carried by said framework adjacent said surface for movement toward and away from said cutting means, fluid-actuated means for locating said reference position means selected distances from said cutting means, means providing infOrmation representing a predetermined distance between said reference position means and said cutting means and a determined angle of traverse, and means responsive to said information means and arranged in controlling relation to said locating means and said rotating means to respectively locate said reference position means a predetermined distance from said cutting means and pivot said cutting means to a predetermined angle.
 2. A cutting machine according to claim 1 including means defining a reference point spaced along said surface a predetermined distance from said cutting means, said information means defining a distance between said reference point and said reference position means whereby a predetermined distance is defined between said reference position means and said cutting means.
 3. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said reference position means comprises a plurality of stops, means for projecting said stops above said surface at predetermined spaced intervals therealong, said control means being operable to selectively project one of said stops above said surface.
 4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said rotating means is fluid actuated.
 5. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said reference position means comprises a plurality of stops, said locating means including a fluid-actuated cylinder connected to each of said stops for projecting the same above said surface at predetermined spaced intervals therealong, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for actuating a fluid cylinder associated with a selected stop to project the latter above said surface.
 6. A machine according to claim 1 including a member mounted for movement toward and away from said cutting means, said locating means including a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders coupled to said member for moving the same, said reference position means being carried by said member for movement therewith, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for selectively actuating said cylinders to locate said reference position means a predetermined distance from said cutting means.
 7. A machine according to claim 6 wherein said cylinders provide for movement of said member relative to said cutting means a maximum predetermined distance, each of said cylinders being arranged to move said member relative to said cutting means an incremental distance less than the maximum predetermined distance.
 8. A machine according to claim 6 wherein said cylinders are connected axially one to the other in series with one of said cylinders being fixed to said framework, means mounting the remaining cylinders for axial displacement whereby selected actuation of said cylinders displaces succeeding cylinders relative to said fixed cylinder, the cylinder spaced furthest from said fixed cylinder being coupled to said member.
 9. A machine according to claim 8 wherein each of said cylinders has a predetermined piston displacement double the piston displacement of the next smallest cylinder whereby said member may be displaced within a range at least equal to the piston displacement of the largest cylinder in increments equal to the piston displacement of the smallest cylinder.
 10. A machine according to claim 1 including a table mounted for movement toward and away from said cutting means, said reference position means comprising a plurality of stops carried by said table at predetermined spaced intervals therealong, said locating means including a fluid-actuated cylinder coupled to each of said stops for projecting the same above said table and a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders coupled to said table for moving the same, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for actuating the cylinder associated with a selected stop to project the latter above the table and selectively aCtuating the cylinders coupled to said table thereby locating the projected stop a predetermined distance from said cutting means.
 11. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said last-mentioned cylinders are connected axially one to the other in series with one of said cylinders being fixed to said framework, means mounting the remaining cylinders for axial displacement whereby selected actuation of said cylinders displaces succeeding cylinders relative to said fixed cylinder, the cylinder spaced furthest from said fixed cylinder being connected to said table, each of said last-mentioned cylinders having a predetermined piston displacement double the piston displacement of the next smallest cylinder, there being a sufficient number of said last-mentioned cylinders whereby said table may be displaced within a range at least equal to the predetermined spacing between said stops less the piston displacement of the smallest cylinder of said last-mentioned cylinders and in increments equal to the piston displacement of the smallest cylinder.
 12. A machine according to claim 1 including a member mounted for movement toward and away from said cutting means, said reference position means comprising a plurality of stops carried by said member at equal spaced intervals therealong, said locating means including means for projecting said stops above said cutting surface and means for moving said member selected distances within a range substantially equal to the spacing between a next adjacent pair of said stops, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for projecting a selected stop and moving said member a selected distance thereby locating the projected stop a predetermined distance from said cutting means.
 13. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders, each of said cylinders providing for a predetermined angular displacement of said cutting means, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for selectively actuating said cylinders.
 14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein said cutting surface comprises an elongated table, said cylinders being adapted to rotate said cutting means through a range approximating 180* from an angular position parallel to said elongated table.
 15. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders connected axially one to the other in series with one of said cylinders being fixed to said framework, means mounting the remaining cylinders for axial displacement whereby selected actuation of said cylinders displaces succeeding cylinders relative to said fixed cylinder, means for translating rectilinear motion into rotary motion, said translating means connecting between the cylinder spaced furtherest from said fixed cylinder and said cutting means for rotating the latter, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for selectively actuating said cylinders to rotate said cutting means to said predetermined angle.
 16. A machine according to claim 15 wherein each of said cylinders has a predetermined piston displacement providing a predetermined angular displacement of said cutting means, the piston replacement of each cylinder providing an angular displacement of the cutting means double the angular displacement of the cutting means provided by the piston displacement of the next smallest cylinder.
 17. A machine according to claim 15 wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve pivotally carried by said framework, a guide assembly carried by said sleeve, said cutting means being mounted for traversing movement along said guide assembly, said motion translating means comprising a rack and gear, said rack being connected to the cylinder spaced furthest from said fixed cylinder for lInear displacement therewith, said gear being disposed in driving relation to said sleeve.
 18. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said cutting surface is adapted to receive a wooden member, the extended axis of rotation of said cutting means intersecting said surface at a fixed point corresponding to the point of entry of said cutting means into the wooden member, said cutting means being mounted for swinging movement through an arc having said fixed point as its center, the cutting means entering the wooden member at the same point irrespective of the angular position of said cutting means.
 19. A machine according to claim 15 wherein said cutting surface is adapted to receive a wooden member, said mounting means comprising a sleeve pivotally carried by said framework and having an extended axis of rotation intersecting said surface at a fixed point corresponding to the point of entry of said cutting means into the wooden member, a guide assembly carried by said sleeve, a carriage mounted on said guide assembly for movement therealong, said cutting means being fixed to said carriage for movement therewith and through said fixed point irrespective of the angular position of said cutting means.
 20. A machine according to claim 19 wherein said moving means comprises a fluid-actuated cylinder connected between said guide assembly and said carriage for driving said carriage along said guide assembly.
 21. A machine according to claim 13 including means for locking said cutting means in said predetermined angular position.
 22. A machine according to claim 17 including a plate mounted on said guide assembly and extending in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of said sleeve, a fluid-actuated clamp on said framework for clamping said plate irrespective of the angular position of said cutting means thereby locking said cutting means in said predetermined angle.
 23. A machine according to claim 19 wherein said cutting means comprises a motorized saw, means pivotally mounting said saw on said carriage for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the axis of rotation of said carriage, and means for locking said saw in adjusted angular position.
 24. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said moving means includes a fluid-actuated cylinder for advancing and retracting said cutting means across said cutting surface, means for actuating said cylinder including means for automatically retracting said cutting means in response to a predetermined advance thereof across said cutting surface.
 25. A machine according to claim 24 wherein said cutting surface comprises an elongated table, said retracting means retracting said cutting means in response to a predetermined displacement of said cutting means transversely of said table irrespective of the angle of traverse of said cutting means.
 26. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said cutting surface comprises an elongated table adapted to receive a wooden member and having abutment means fixed along said table adjacent a lateral edge portion thereof, and means for displacing the wooden member transversely across said table against said abutment means.
 27. A machine according to claim 26 wherein said displacing means comprises an arm spaced above said table and having a member depending from adjacent an outer end portion thereof adjacent the opposite lateral edge portion of said table, said member being movable across said table toward said first-mentioned edge portion to engage the wooden member and displace the same laterally against said abutment means.
 28. A machine according to claim 26 wherein said displacing means comprises an arm mounted adjacent said table edge portion for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the table, said arm extending upwardly and inclinedly over said table and having a member depending from adjacent the outer end portion thereof, said displacing means including means for pivoting said arm downwardly about said axis to swing said member to a position adjacent the opposite table edge portion and for drawing said member inwardly to engage the wooden member and move the same laterally against said abutment means.
 29. A machine according to claim 28 wherein said pivotal mounting comprises a track, means mounting said arm for movement along said track, cam means carried by said track and a cam follower carried by said arm, said displacing means comprising a fluid-actuated cylinder for advancing and retracting said arm along said track, retraction of said arm along said track causing said arm to pivot downwardly about said mounting axis to draw said member toward said first-mentioned edge portion to butt the wooden member against said abutment means, and advancement of said arm along said track displacing said member away from said first-mentioned edge portion toward the opposite edge portion whereat said cam means and cam follower coact to pivot said arm to extend upwardly and inclinedly over said table.
 30. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said cutting surface comprises an elongated table adapted to receive a wooden member and means for clamping the wooden member against said table.
 31. A machine according to claim 30 wherein said clamping means comprises an arm pivotally mounted to said framework and having a clamping jaw carried by an end portion thereof, and a fluid-actuated cylinder connected to said arm to pivot the same and move said jaw toward and away from the wooden member.
 32. A machine according to claim 31 wherein said clamping means includes a second arm pivotally mounted to said framework and having a clamping jaw carried by an end portion thereof below said table, said fluid cylinder being connected between the opposite end portions of said first and second arms for moving said clamping jaws simultaneously toward and away from each other to clamp the table and wooden member therebetween and to release the same.
 33. A cutting machine comprising a framework including a cutting surface, cutting means carried by said framework for traversing movement across said surface, means for moving said cutting means across said surface, reference position means carried by said framework and spaced along said cutting surface from said cutting means for establishing a distance of cut between said cutting means and said reference position means, fluid-actuated means for providing relative movement between said cutting means and said reference position means toward and away from one another to selectively adjust the distance therebetween, means providing information representing a predetermined distance between said reference position means and said cutting means, and means responsive to said information means and arranged in controlling relation to said fluid-actuated means to provide a predetermined distance between said cutting means and said reference position means.
 34. A cutting machine according to claim 33 wherein said fluid-actuated means comprises at least one cylinder, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for actuating said cylinder.
 35. A machine according to claim 33 wherein said fluid-actuated means comprises a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for selectively actuating said cylinders.
 36. A machine according to claim 35 wherein said cylinders are connected axially one to the other in series with one of said cylinders being fixed to said framework, means mounting the remaining cylinders for axial displacement whereby actuation of said cylinders displaces succeeding cylinders relative to said fixed cylinder.
 37. A machine according to claim 36 wherein each of said cylinders has a predetermined piston displacement double the piston displacement of the next smaller cylinder whereby the distance between said cutting means and said reference position means may be adjusted within a range at least equal to the piston displacement of the largest cylinder in increments equal to the piston displacement of the smaller cylinder.
 38. A machine according to claim 33 wherein said reference position means comprises a plurality of stops carried by said framework and said fluid-actuated means includes a fluid-actuated cylinder connected to each stop for projecting the same above said cutting surface at predetermined spaced intervals therealong, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for actuating the cylinder associated with a selected stop to project the same above the cutting surface.
 39. A machine according to claim 38 wherein said stops are located on opposite sides of said cutting means.
 40. A machine according to claim 38 wherein said cutting surface comprises a table mounted for movement relative to said cutting means, said stops being carried by said table for movement therewith, said adjusting means including a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders connected to said table for moving the same, said sensing means providing control signals for selectively actuating said last-mentioned cylinders to move said table a selected distance relative to said cutting means.
 41. A machine according to claim 40 wherein said last-mentioned cylinders are connected axially one to the other in series with one of said cylinders being fixed to said framework, and means mounting the remaining cylinders for axial displacement whereby actuation of said cylinders displaces succeeding cylinders relative to said fixed cylinder.
 42. A machine according to claim 33 wherein said cutting surface comprises a table adapted to receive a wooden member, means forming an abutment adjacent a lateral edge of said table, and means for moving the wooden member across said table for engagement against said abutment means.
 43. A machine according to claim 33 wherein said cutting surface comprises a table adapted to receive a wooden member, and means for clamping said wooden member to said table surface thereby holding the wooden member rigid as said cutting means traverses said table.
 44. A machine according to claim 38 wherein said cutting surface comprises a table adapted to receive a wooden member, means for clamping said wooden member to said table surface, means for actuating said clamping means, said control means being operable to retract the projected stop in response to actuation of said clamping means.
 45. A cutting machine comprising framework including a cutting surface, cutting means carried by said framework for rotation about an axis substantially normal to said surface, fluid-actuated means for rotating said cutting means to selected angular positions, means providing information representing a predetermined angular position of said cutting means, and means responsive to said information means and arranged in controlling relation to said rotating means to rotate said cutting means to a predetermined angular position.
 46. A machine according to claim 45 wherein said rotating means comprises a plurality of fluid-actuated cylinders, said control means including means for sensing said information and providing control signals in response thereto for rotating said cutting means to a predetermined angular position.
 47. A machine according to claim 46 wherein said cylinders are connected axially one to the other in series with one of said cylinders being fixed to said framework, means mounting the remaining cylinders for axial displacement whereby actuation of said cylinders displaces succeeding cylinders axially relative to said fixed cylinder.
 48. A machine according to claim 47 wherein each of said cylinders has a predetermined piston displacement providing a predetermined angular displacement of said cutting means, the piston displacement of each cylinder providing an angular displacement of the cutting means double the angular displacement oF the cutting means provided by the piston displacement of the next smaller cylinder.
 49. A machine according to claim 46 including a guide assembly pivotally carried by said framework, a carriage carried by said guide assembly for rotation therewith and mounted for movement relative thereto across said cutting surface, said cutting means being carried by said carriage, and fluid-actuated means connecting between said guide assembly and said carriage for moving said carriage and cutting means across said cutting surface.
 50. A machine according to claim 45 including means for clamping said cutting means in said predetermined angular position.
 51. A cutting machine comprising framework including a cutting surface, cutting means mounted to said framework for rotation about an axis substantially normal to said cutting surface, fluid-actuated means for rotating said cutting means to selected angular positions, reference position means carried by said framework and spaced along said cutting surface from said cutting means for establishing a distance of cut between said cutting means and said reference position means, and fluid-actuated means for selectively adjusting the distance between said cutting means and said reference position means, means providing information representing a predetermined distance between said cutting means and said reference position means and a predetermined angular position of said cutting means, and means responsive to said information means and arranged in controlling relation to said adjusting means and said rotating means to provide a predetermined distance between said cutting means and said reference position means and to rotate said cutting means to a predetermined angular position.
 52. A machine according to claim 51 wherein said cutting surface comprises a table adapted to receive a wooden member, means forming an abutment adjacent a lateral edge of said table, and means for moving the wooden member across said table for engagement against said abutment means.
 53. A machine according to claim 51 wherein said cutting surface comprises a table adapted to receive a wooden member, and means for clamping said wooden member to said table surface thereby holding the wooden member rigid as said cutting means traverses said table.
 54. A machine according to claim 51 including means mounting said cutting means for traversing movement across said cutting surface irrespective of the angular position thereof, means for moving said cutting means from an initial position across said surface at said predetermined angle, and means responsive to a predetermined displacement of said cutting means across said cutting surface preventing further movement across said cutting surface.
 55. A machine according to claim 54 wherein said latter means automatically reverses the direction of movement of said cutting means to move the same toward its initial position in response to said predetermined displacement of said cutting means.
 56. A machine according to claim 51 including means for normally disabling said cutting means.
 57. A machine according to claim 53 including means mounting said cutting means for traversing movement across said cutting surface, means for moving said cutting means across said surface, means normally disabling said cutting means and moving means, and means response to actuation of said clamping means to enable said cutting means and said moving means to permit said cutting means to make a cutting traverse across said surface. 